Potsdam, N.Y. ? Senior Spencer Churchill scored 3:36 into overtime to lead the Canisius hockey team to a 4-3 overtime victory over ECAC foe Clarkson. Churchill's goal was part of the Griffs' late heroics as the team improved to 6-5-2 on the season.
“I got a lucky bounce on the side and I was alone,” Churchill said. “I skated in and just shot it as hard as I could and it went in.”
Sophomore Brandon Cummings tallied two goals and junior Jason Weeks also added a score for the Griffs. Freshman Adam Brace paced the Canisius attack with a career-best three assists.
Junior Andrew Loewen stopped 22 shots in goal to earn the victory for the Griffs.
“Words don't really describe this win,” said Canisius head coach Dave Smith. “There was a lot of heart and a lot of character displayed in this victory. We have a lot of positives to take away from this game.”
Cummings opened the scoring for the Griffs, connecting for his third goal of the season 16:25 into the contest. After Clarkson was whistled for a penalty, Brace sent a shot toward the goal from the point. The puck was blocked and Cummings was there to pick up the loose puck and lofted it over the Clarkson goalie to give the Griffs the early advantage. Freshman Wes Love also registered an assist on the goal.
The Golden Knights (2-7-2) responded with a power play score of their own. Bryan Ruffenach skated in with the extra-man advantage and fired a shot past Loewen to knot the game at one with 47 seconds remaining in the opening period.
Cummings once again gave the Griffs lead, scoring his second goal of the game 7:57 into the second frame. Sophomore Vincent Scarsella won a faceoff to senior John Patera in the Griffs' offensive zone. Patera skated to the corner and sent the puck to Cummings right in front of the crease. The sophomore then knocked it in to give Canisius a 2-1 advantage.
The Griffs had an opportunity to extend its lead when Clarkson's Chris D'Alvise was whistled for a five-minute major for hitting from behind. However, Canisius did not take advantage and after the power play expired, the Griffs were whistled for a penalty of their own at the end of the second period.
Clarkson took advantage of its extra-man chance when Matt Beca scored 1:07 into the third period. The Golden Knights grabbed their first lead of the game 1:50 later when Jeremiah Crowe fired the puck past Loewen.
The Griffs once again had their chances to add a score on the power play. Clarkson was whistled for three-consecutive penalties but Canisius, who also had 53 seconds of 5-on-3, could not find the equalizer.
The game seemed over in the closing seconds. The Griffs pulled the goalie for an extra attacker and following a turnover, two Clarkson players skated down with no Canisius defenders in their way. However, the Griffs hustled back and prevented the empty-net score. Weeks took advantage of the extra opportunity, finally knotting the game at three with 13.8 seconds remaining in regulation. Freshman Dave Kostuch found the junior in front of the goal and Weeks knocked it in for his second score of the season. Brace also posted an assist on the goal.
Churchill then tallied the game-winner to seal the Griffs' first victory against an ECAC school. Junior captain Peter MacDougall knocked the puck off the boards and to an open Churchill, who only had the goalie to beat. The senior fired a shot, which beat Clarkson's goalie under his shoulder. Brace also added an assist on the score for his third helper of the evening.
“The guys on the bench never gave up,” Churchill said. “No one thought we were going to lose tonight. I think we are making great strides at Canisius and it showed tonight. We have beaten a team from the ECAC and CCHA this season plus tied a Hockey East school.”
Clarkson held a slight advantage in shots, 25-24. The Griffs converted only one of eight power play opportunities, while the Golden Knights were 2-for-4 with the extra-man advantage.
The teams conclude the two-game set tomorrow night at 7 p.m.
Game Notes: The win was Canisius' first in six tries against an ECAC school ... Clarkson entered the game 8-0-0 all-time against Atlantic Hockey schools at Cheel Arena ... Cummings, who entered the game with three career goals, set a new personal best with his two tallies ... Brace has posted a point in three-consecutive games ... Canisius has four road victories this season, doubling last year's total.
